The South African back-rower, in his second year at NSW, was the subject of allegations by Brumbies flanker David Pocock to referee Craig Joubert in the second half that homophobic slurs were used by a Waratahs forward during their 23-18 win.

Potgieter expressed remorse over the incident, and apologised for any harm caused by his remarks. "I'm very sorry for any offence caused by what I said on the field during a heated encounter," Potgieter said. "It was an offhand remark made without thought for the hurt it could cause to those around me." [...]

His penalty relates to a breach of the ARU code of conduct, which prohibits homophobic or racist comments. "We take the issue of homophobia in sport seriously and want to provide a positive environment for everyone involved in Rugby," ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said. "Comments of this nature cannot be tolerated. Our Inclusion Policy reinforces Australian Rugby's commitment to ensure every individual, whether they're players, supporters, coaches or administrators, feel safe, welcome and included regardless of race, gender or sexuality.

"I'd like to stress again that there is absolutely no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words on and off the field must reflect that."

To all the rugby community, fans and public. I sincerely apologise for the hurtful words spoken during the Brumbies encounter. In the heat of the moment I regrettably uttered a word, with no intent to discriminate. I respect everyone from all walks of life and would never intentionally hurt or judge anyone, it's not in my character. I apologise for my actions and understand the seriousness of this matter.

“I was doing something nobody had done before, and if you’re the first to do something, you have to be prepared to take the sh*t for it.”

On the eve of one of the most important games of his career, Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas received a warning: The Sun newspaper was going to "out" him as gay.

This is the story of two Welsh names bruised, but not beaten, by media speculation; Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, 100 caps for Wales, once its captain, now the world’s most prominent gay sportsman; and his hometown, Bridgend.

Working with Alfie himself, and young people in Bridgend, two of the UK’s most exciting theatre companies - National Theatre Wales and Out of Joint - have teamed up to tell a great Welsh story about sport, politics, secrets, life and learning to be yourself.

Thomas told the BBC that the play is “an honest and emotional portrayal.”

Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage runs at the Sherman Theatre until March 7th before touring in Aberystwyth, Bethesda, Aberdare and Bridgend.

Watch Thomas sit through a scene in which he tells his wife he is gay, AFTER THE JUMP...

Australian Bobsledder Simon Dunn recently announced he's gay and is the first person in the sport to come out reports Same Same.

Currently Dunn's role on the Aussie team is brakemen for fellow teammate Lucas Mata who was the brakemen for Heathe Spence at the Sochi Olympics. Dunn also plays rugby for the Sydney Convicts, and says it was an easy crossover sport into bobsledding as training for both of them require similar exercises.

Said Dunn:

"I was approached by a member of the Australian team through my rugby club in Calgary. Rugby is an easy crossover sport to bobsleigh, as the training is similar and the main idea is to run hard and fast.

"My years playing rugby for the Sydney Convicts in Sydney definitely helped my conditioning to be ready for the sport."

Dunn competed in the North America Cup in Utah this month, competing against other teams from around the world; many of them past olympians. Dunn is competing in upcoming competitions in Calgary, Lake Placid and Park City.

Dunn is also quite active on Instagram, posting some sexy shots of him playing rugby, showing off his guns and numerous shirtless pictures. Need further convincing on whether to follow him or not? He's also single, posts pictures of himself with puppies and is apparently great with children. Maybe it's the season, but it looks like winter athletes really know how to turn up the heat.

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas was greeted with cheers on The Jonathan Ross Show in the UK last night in conjunction with his new autobiography, Proud.

Thomas talked about how he lived a lie for so long and how damaging it is to a person and those around them. He also spoke about how he couldn't have come out and continued to play rugby at a young age because of the abuse he would have had to endure, and how that continues in sport, particularly football.

Said Thomas:

"I didn't come out because I wanted to be the first person to do it. I came out because I came to the crossroads of living or dying, and that's why I decided to come out. Because I wanted to live. I get stopped, even today, constantly on the street by people I have never met in my entire life, and they'll say to me, 'I Just want to thank you for helping my brother, mother, father, sister, auntie, uncle, because you gave them the strength to be who they want to be...I have won every trophy that I can ever dream of winning but when you affect somebody’s life, in a way that this person is going to have a life that they never thought they could have because of me, stupid old me, because of that they could do that, it’s amazing."

Thomas also talked about the difficulty of telling his former wife Gemma that he's gay.

2015 is 'bearing' down on us in a big way now that the Nashville Grizzlies gay rugby calendar has arrived!

One of the team's members, Thomas H., writes us:

"The Nashville Grizzlies RFC is a USA Rugby Division III club. We are a socially and ethnically diverse group of guys ages 19-53 learning a great sport, getting some good exercise and giving back to our community. Established in 2006, the Grizzlies have had the opportunity to play teams all over the nation and abroad. Every two years we travel to the Bingham Cup, named in honor of Mark Bingham who died on United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11, 2001 attacks. We played in the 2014 Bingham Cup in Sydney, Australia, where we won the Hoagland Vase, named in honor of Mark’s mother. We are currently in the process of bidding for the 2016 Bingham Cup and are excited about the chance to bring an international gay rugby tournament to the South.

This year, we are raising to money to ensure that gay rugby is as affordable as possible to all of our players, regardless of their means. Part of our efforts include our annual calendar fundraiser. This year, local photographer Chris Malone lent his talents for us to have a very artistic and creative calendar.

A stage play about the life of gay Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas is in development, Wales Online reports:

A joint production between National Theatre Wales and Out of Joint, it tells the story of the former Wales rugby captain who came out as gay five years ago.

Alfie has been involved in the production, which is described as telling “a great Welsh story about sport, politics, secrets, life and learning to be yourself.”

Full details about the show’s tour, and its cast, are to be announced in the new year.

Writer Robin Soans is known for his documentary verbatim plays based on interviews with real people, and it is being directed by Max Stafford-Clark.

The announcement said: “This is the story of two Welsh names bruised, but not beaten, by media speculation; Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, 100 caps for Wales, once its captain, now the world’s most prominent gay sportsman; and his hometown, Bridgend.”

National Theatre Wales' artistic director John McGrath said: "National Theatre Wales has always set out to tell great Welsh stories, and they don't come much greater than this. Gareth Thomas is a hero to thousands of people, and his journey from world-class rugby player to world-class gay rights campaigner is extraordinary.